DL on Christmas Day Happy - Now Worried

[abwdreaming]

My sister-in-law just told us her family went last year on Christmas Day. She said the Huge Crowds made them never want to go again Christmas Day. Something about shoulder to shoulder people, can't leave the park for a hotel break due to crowd capacity clousure, and missed events because the crowds were so thick they could not get to their scheduled events. We are usually calm people, but now I am so worried. Please, help me see this through more positive eyes.

 

[Malcon10t]

My sister-in-law just told us her family went last year on Christmas Day. She said the Huge Crowds made them never want to go again Christmas Day. Something about shoulder to shoulder people, can't leave the park for a hotel break due to crowd capacity clousure, and missed events because the crowds were so thick they could not get to their scheduled events. We are usually calm people, but now I am so worried. Please, help me see this through more positive eyes.

We have gone every year since 2000, except for 2003. If you go in knowing it will be crowded, and decide what you MUST do, and just take in the atmosphere, you can have a great time. You CAN take breaks. People continue this information, not understanding how it works. Once you have entered for the day, you can reenter if the park is not at capacity. If it is at capacity, go to DCA for an hour, and come back. The park always reopens after the parade, due to large numbers exiting the park. When people exit, they create an opening for others to reenter... People have said you can't leave on Christmas Eve, we do it all the time. We leave for an early dinner (family tradition) and come back about 6 to finish out the evening. I have never been denied entry. Christmas Day, we leave about 2 for our Christmas Dinner (Goofy's, Jazz Kitchen, this year, Storytellers.) and we will reenter about 5. The only day of the whole year I wouldn't exit the park would be NYE. After about 4pm, the gates could be closed for the day.

 

[rentayenta]

Go early for sure. We went once on Christmas Day and it was so packed. The park hit capacity by 11 am. Like the PP said, go for the atmosphere. Expect to wait and ride little. Take full advantage of FP.

 

[sonnyjane]

Is Christmas your only day in the park, or will you be there for multiple days?

I won't sugarcoat it and give you false information; the week of Christmas to New Years is absolutely, without question, the busiest week of the year. Yes, there are days that they stop letting people in. Last year I believe it was the day right after Christmas that they stopped selling tickets at the ticket booths around 10:30 in the morning. It's important to know that so that you can have a good plan in place.

On Christmas day, the first few hours should be okay, so I STRONGLY suggest getting there ASAP that morning and using Magic Morning if you have it. It will get more and more crowded as the day progresses. I would say decide what rides and shows, if any, are absolute MUST-sees, and then plan your day around getting FP's or waiting in line for those rides and being in the right place at the right time for the shows. The "right time" could be an hour or so in advance if it's something like a parade or fireworks, and even more in advance if it is Fantasmic! or World of Color (in California Adventure, which you need a FP to see). Make sure that you plan to eat your meals at off times (before or after the typical rush), and yes, realize that it may take you a lot longer to get across the parks than it might on a regular day because of the increased crowds.

It will be busy, but if you have an action plan, you can still have a good day! You just need to have realistic goals.

 

[abwdreaming]

Thank you so much I am feeling better. We do have the PS at the New Orleans Cafe for 7pm and also the 9pm Fantasmic Dessert PKG. and PS 11:30am at Thunder Ranch. I was worried because it was implied we would not be able to get through the crowds to use our tickets for Fantasmic Dessert pkg. Thanks again for helping me.

 

[sonnyjane]

Thank you so much I am feeling better. We do have the PS at the New Orleans Cafe for 7pm and also the 9pm Fantasmic Dessert PKG. and PS 11:30am at Thunder Ranch. I was worried because it was implied we would not be able to get through the crowds to use our tickets for Fantasmic Dessert pkg. Thanks again for helping me.

That's great news! You're in good shape with two reservations for meals and the Fantasmic! dessert package to boot! That actually puts you ahead of most people that will be there that day! Since you have a reservation for a meal at 7PM but are going to the 9PM Fantasmic!, remember that you have to check-in for the show prior to get your seats. I haven't done the dessert package but maybe someone else that has can tell you when you'll need to check-in? It will start at least an hour before your show (so at least 8 PM). Luckily CO and the F! check-in are very close to each other.

Have a great trip